Five Essential Keys for Unlocking the Door to Your Dreams

I have been a part of Dan Miller's 48 Days Eagles Community for over two years and the impact it's had on my life is significant. 

The most recent development came from a connection I made at an Eagles' event I attended in Franklin, Tennessee, back in April. It was there that I met Isaiah Taylor, a literary scout who learned that I was writing a book about my journey with Christmas. I had been planning to self-publish my story so I wasn't seeking a publisher, but he encouraged me to submit my manuscript to a publisher. I walked away from that conversation feeling somewhat intrigued, and rather doubtful. 

One thing led to another...

I was recently (and delightfully) surprised to see a post on Dan Miller's Facebook page that mentioned me and my journey, letting the cat out of the bag. Since I have been racking (and wracking) my brain trying to figure out how to share what's been happening and tell everyone the great news, I felt a sense of relief to have it come from someone else's newsfeed. 

I'll let you read the post for yourself:

"For Frances Drost, the journey from dream to reality started in a difficult place—the deaths of two of her siblings. And it took a winding path from a nagging sense of loss to a creative expression of joy and togetherness.

Frances’s annual Christmas show, Portraits of White, began 11 years ago when she started reimagining what it means to be in the holiday spirit after she spent years feeling “disenchanted” with the season. This December, Portraits of White will celebrate a decade of bringing people together through music with the special release of Frances’ forthcoming book.

Whether you’re an artist like Frances or not, her story has a lot to teach us about our dreams.

1: Dreams come from unexpected places

Like many people who have been touched by loss, Frances wondered why Christmas felt so empty no matter how many years went by. One year, Frances even decided to skip Christmas all together!

Frances realized that she felt disconnected from the holiday spirit because of the grief she carried. Instead of continuing to live in that mindset of despair, she decided to turn it into an opportunity to create hope and find peace—for herself and others who have experienced loss.

Frances began writing songs about how she felt during the holiday season, and eventually started dreaming of a Christmas album.

2: Have faith in your dreams

Eventually, that Christmas album came to be. Frances called it Portraits of White and based it on what she discovered reflecting on her disenchantment with Christmas.

“I learned that holidays have a tendency to amplify the loss and the dysfunction that we have. I thought maybe by sharing my own story, I could bring hope to others.”

While the album was successful, Frances also had faith that Portraits of White could be so much more than a collection of songs.

"I had a vision to perform my songs on stage with a full orchestra. I'd never done that before. I'd always traveled as a solo artist. And so I hired a conductor from Nashville. I hired an orchestra. And we sold out the first show that year in 2014!”

3: Dream bigger than yourself

What started as an album by a solo artist trying to process her own grief blossomed into a creative project that brings together musicians and artists from around the country.

If Frances had stopped with her feeling of disenchantment—or even stopped with the album—her life, her business, and the hearts of thousands of audience members over the years wouldn’t be what they are today. Even though the dream for Portraits of White didn’t start with a goal of reaching millions or turning a profit, it grew into something that brought Frances’s goals well within her reach.

4: The path from dream to reality is not always smooth

In 2019, Portraits of White drew over one thousand people. Frances and her team expanded the project to three shows, extending the reach of her message.

And then COVID hit.

Through the turmoil of 2020, Frances persisted in sharing Portraits of White. The show was released as a DVD, bringing her message into the homes and hearts of audiences across the country. She turned what could have been a dead end for Portraits of White into an opportunity for growth.

5: Dreams are rarely accomplished alone

Frances is soon releasing a book telling the story of her journey with Christmas. The current working title of the book is Portraits of White: A Songwriter's Journey to Find Christmas.

“Thanks to the Eagles community and their connections and actually going to the 48 Days Innovate Experience in Franklin, Tennessee in April, I talked to a literary agent from Morgan James, and he encouraged me to submit my story about my journey with Christmas.”

Now Frances is on the final round of edits for the book. With the book release, sponsors, and the support of her community and audience—the 10th anniversary of Portraits of White promises to be the most exciting year since its start.

The Eagles are so proud of Frances and thankful for her continuous, active, involvement in our community. We celebrate and support all kinds of success—from traditional entrepreneurial journeys to artistic projects and more. Each and every one of the Eagles is out to transform lives, make their dreams a reality, and uplift each other along the way.

​Join the 48 Days Eagles Community and see where your dreams will take YOU!: https://www.48days.com/48dayseagles/."

David L. Hancock (Founder and Publisher), Frances Drost (Author), Isaiah Taylor (Literary Scout)
 The Urban Roost in Richmond, VA
June 8, 2023 Publishing Agreement Signed